BEIJING, May 23 (Xinhua) -- China on Friday called on all parties in Thailand to keep restraint and strengthen dialogue and consultations, said a Foreign Ministry spokesman in response to the military takeover in the Asian country.

"China is paying attention to the recent development of the situation in Thailand," said spokesman Hong Lei at a daily news briefing.

China hopes that all parties in Thailand will keep restraint and strengthen dialogue and consultation so as to restore national order at an early date, Hong said.

According to reports, the Thai military on Thursday seized control of the country following months of unrest and widespread protests in capital city Bangkok and other parts of the nation.

Late Thursday night, Thailand's military junta chief Prayuth Chan-ocha declared himself acting prime minister until someone can be found to serve the post full time.

Popular demonstrations began in late 2013, with calls for the ouster of Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra's administration and implementation of anti-corruption reforms. The military declared martial law on Tuesday.

On May 7, Yingluck reportedly was removed from government after a ruling by the Thai Constitutional Court.

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